Litter Cover

AUS-TMS-URB-LIT General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

50 %
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 50
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Lower Critical Threshold: <50% cover, indicating significant bare ground and ecosystem dysfunction.

Metric Definition:

Lower critical threshold for Litter Cover (%) below which ecosystem health is compromised.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the lower critical threshold of litter cover below which the ecosystem is considered to be in significant dysfunction due to increased bare ground.

Justification:

A ground cover of <50% is proposed as the Lower Critical Threshold because below this value the landscape is considered to be in a state of significant ecological dysfunction.

Sources (1)

Preview of Northern Savannas - Greening Australia
Northern Savannas - Greening Australia GreyLiterature

Northern Savannas - Greening Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Creating Habitat for Darwin Gardens
Creating Habitat for Darwin Gardens
Direct Evidence Journal

Creating Habitat for Darwin Gardens

View Source
Preview of Discover the Benefits of Mulching and Soil Amendment - Green Haven Cairns Landscaping
Discover the Benefits of Mulching and Soil Amendment - Green Haven Cairns Landscaping
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Discover the Benefits of Mulching and Soil Amendment - Green Haven Cairns Landscaping

View Source
Preview of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of Mulch - Ozbreed
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of Mulch - Ozbreed
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Over-Mulching: Why you shouldn't do it - AC Plant & Turf

View Source
Preview of Tropical Mulching Guides (Cairns/Caboolture)
Tropical Mulching Guides (Cairns/Caboolture)
Irrelevant

Tropical Mulching Guides (Cairns/Caboolture)

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Urban & Developed Use
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 20 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Indicates significant bare soil leading to high risk of soil erosion, surface crusting, poor water infiltration, high evaporation, and loss of soil organic matter and habitat for soil fauna.